Sud Monsters

Well after that post, I hd to put something a little more light hearted up. The kids have been swimming in the pool now for over a month - brrr - its still too cold for me. Lilly is doing really well with her strokes - putting her head down and bringing her arms over - jsut got to get the breathing happening - but hey - shes three. Morgan has mastered the back stroke and loves to float around on his back. He is not looking forward to swimming lessons at school as most of the kids there don't know how to swim at all. I am sure they will havge a more advanced class for those who can.. will just have to wait and see.

well - heres a photo of some rare creatures found lurking in my bathroom - Sud Monsters....

A Sad Week

What a dreadful week. One of the kindest and liveliest aunts I have – the wonderful Aunty Marg died last Sunday. She had been quite ill for sometime and passed peacefully in her sleep.

I chose to go to the funeral on my own, I didn’t really think the kids old enough to handle what was to unfold. When Tania and Frazers Baby – their cousin Bethany died, we told them straight away and talked about it for a few days. They didn’t really know Aunty Marg – so I did tell them about the funeral and what happens – but that’s about it. It was an open cask ceremony – which in itself has its own challenges.

It was very sad that as I walked up the lawn to the chapel, I was greeted by cousins – some I had not seen for over 20 years – and I realize that it takes something lie this for the family to get together. We are a close knit family but one that loves from afar – if that makes sense. I have no doubt that if I called upon the help of any of my cousins, I would be rallied around immediately – and yet we hardly see each other now. – as kids we lived in each others pockets. It’s the same with my own brothers and sisters. I drop everything to assist and help them, and I know they would do the same from me – but we forget each others birthdays and usually only see each other at Christmas time. The occasional phone call happens once a month or so – and I do wish we lived closer so that kids would get to know each other better and be able to play.

I still have tears in my eyes as I think about the ceremony – both in the chapel and at the graveside. So horrible – so final. Dons Eulogy to his mum was wonderful – and in typical style – he had us laughing before we wept. She was a remarkable woman who brought so much happiness and love into the lives of her family. I met my great Aunt Bess ( again - the last time was probably 20 years ago) – who is 96 and still drives – she is an incredible lass – that’s for sure. She was the eldest of the family – I don’t think there are many left now – Marg was the 8^th child. How awful to sit and bury your younger sister – I just can’t imagine it.

I can't beleive that the years just slip past so quickly. How is it even possible that I can say the last time I saw one particlar favourite cousin was nealry 20 years ago - he had long hair and a panel van.... far out... now look at both of us - married, kids... phew.

I don’t think I have much else to add to this post – just too sad at the moment.

Enter the skitzo

NaNoWriMo is a word that will be bandied about in this house hold for at least 2 months. Adrian is beginning to hate it and its only been three days. Allow me to explain. World wide, authors will band together for a month and enter a crazy competition to write 50 000 words of a novel that they are only allowed to start on the first day. Every day you enter your written words into a scrambbler word counter and it gets attributed to your score. Before you get your calculators out its just over 1600 words a day.every day. Consistently.

I have started early as we will be in Fiji half way through and although there is no internet there, I was planning to bring my laptop and continue with writing whilst we were on holiday. I have been banned and if my laptop peeks its head out in customs it will be thrown in the bin. I have been TOLD. So I have started two weeks early and will still join the rest of the mad group half way through.

Its really that kick up the butt and motivation to get your thoughts on paper and get that book you always wanted to write – actually committed to paper – well – screen.
I am still tossing about the idea to get a blog especially for my book and post every week – I might do that as it may be the only time anyone actually reads it. ( that’s a bit negative..oh well)
So the Skitzo has arrived…. Not happy with the good Captain Juan , the multitude of crew members and Dante to dance around in my head, talking to me at all times of the day and night, disturbing my shower or distracting me while I drive, I now have more people to visit me. Its getting kind of crowded and I hope they get along.

One lot is from the 16th century – see www.captainjuan.com if you haven’t already checked it out – ripping yarn written in conjunction with authors Paul and Jodi and mine – I have dubbed Mistress Moon – a feminist love story within speculative fiction. I think… I now talk to my characters and disturbingly they talk to me back – demanding their time in the limelight. One even argued with me when I went to change her name – I ended up having to change the lead characters name instead.

Now nod you head and smile at me and pat my head. I think I need a nice little cup of tea and a sit down. The Space ship has arrived with some finely muscled men I need to chat to….

Down by the Beach

It’s a perfect day. I am sitting at a picnic bench three feet from the lapping waters of Noosa river. The kids are happily playing in the shade of a mangrove, digging at the roots and uncoverring what little shore life there is here. They have huge buckets and sandcastle making implements, but are preferring to dig with their hands. The sand is not as clean as Main Beach – so has a fair amount of minerals and mud in it – consequently the are filthy. It’s a great day. Lilly is racing in and out with the waves coming in and Morgan is attempting to jump over them. The river here is very shallow and perfect for families of small children. The depth only varies from ankle deep to waist high over about 20 metres.

Boats are buzzing up and down the waterway, children and frolicking in the water and building entire townships in the muddy sand.. Morgan has started an irrigation system of canals and testing the depth of the channels – attempting to bring water into his towns.

Lillys long cotton dress is sodden and I am reticent to call her in from wading out so far as she is having so much fun. I should really get them to change into their togs.

We have spent three lazy days here and the kids have just loved every min of it. Still have two more when Adrian gets here tonight after work. Our idealic holiday has had a few hiccups. Last night I spent a few hours in emergency in the Noosa hospital. Morgan h

ad swum at Girraween and apparently picked up an infection from the dirty water. I had tried all the natural remedies I had access too – but at 10.30pm with him sweating and screaming, I gave in and sought medical advice. There is only so much that rescue remedy, warmed olive oil and politices will do. I am shocked that there isn’t a chemist from Gympie to Caboolture that is open late at night either – and not one at the hospital either.

I think a few well placed photos will sum up what a wonderful time we have had here. I am a bit sunburnt – despite suncream – but there are parts you just can’t reach and others you forget about. Still – its all getting ready for Fiji…

Morgan and Lilly are now in their togs and just for my sanity I have put on a

floating jacket for Lilly. Its far too small for her – but she is so daring – I can see her swimming out to one of the moored boats and then realizing she can’t reach the bottom. She has been swimming for over a year - but its still a bit wierd for me to see such a little lass so confident in the water... Bless Morgan, he continues to drag her back if she goes further than chest high – and it seems he is doing it full time.. perhaps its time for them to come in for an icecream.. isn’t that what beach holidays are about?